When Perth businessman Rick Hart came up with the idea of a corporate golf day back in the late 1990s, he could never have imagined the annual hit out between people from business, industry and the media would turn into a truly lifesaving event.

But that’s exactly what happened when Rick decided to pivot the competition 14 years ago to become a fundraiser for Lifeline WA.

Last month’s Hart & Co Golf Day at Lake Karrinyup Country Club achieved a massive $64,500 profit for the suicide prevention agency.

“It is incredible to think that everyone who has taken part over the past 14 years has contributed to Lifeline WA’s crisis support service,” said Rick.

Rick said it was seeing the devastation of a friend whose adult son died by suicide and the impact it had on the whole family that started him thinking what more the business sector could do to get behind suicide prevention.

“Mental health impacts our community in every way and it’s so important to support an agency like Lifeline WA who are available 24/7 to ensure West Australians in crisis are heard,” he said.

Lifeline WA CEO, Lorna MacGregor, said donations from the corporate sector and the community fundraisers are vital.

“We couldn’t keep growing in response to the ever-increasing demand without corporate partners and community fundraising events.”

Ms MacGregor said that in addition to being a significant fundraiser, the Hart & Co Golf Day was an opportunity to drive home the importance of positive mental health and healthy workplaces to the business, community and media leaders who tee up on the day.

“We’ve all got a part to play in reducing the stigma associated with talking about mental health and driving change.”

While the Hart & Co Golf Day is fun and entertaining, Ms MacGregor said there is still plenty of competition among the 32 teams that head out onto the course in pursuit of the annual trophy.

“But whether they are winners on the day or not, every player is a champion in our eyes,” she said.